Thursday, August 13, 2009

The Secret Service is investigating an unidentified man whom authorities said held a sign reading "Death to Obama" outside a town-hall meeting on health-care reform Wednesday. Additionally, the sign had the text "Death to Michelle and her two stupid kids" on it.

Before anyone attempts to defend his First Amendment rights, it should be noted that threatening the president is a crime under section 871 of Title 18 of U.S. Code. It is punishable with a fine or imprisonment of not more than five years if the defendant is found guilty.

It says:

Whoever knowingly and willfully deposits for conveyance in the mail or for a delivery from any post office or by any letter carrier any letter, paper, writing, print, missive, or document containing any threat to take the life of, to kidnap, or to inflict bodily harm upon the President of the United States, the President-elect, the Vice President or other officer next in the order of succession to the office of President of the United States, or the Vice President-elect, or knowingly and willfully otherwise makes any such threat against the President, President-elect, Vice President or other officer next in the order of succession to the office of President, or Vice President-elect, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

The unidentified 51-year-old man was detained by sheriff's deputies and turned over to the Secret Service.